A Trend on Living in the Country

Many people have longed to live outside the city. Movement from urban areas to rural areas is now even more possible with the covid pandemic and working from home. In the past, one of the limiting factors for moving to remote locations has been the absence of high-skill job opportunities. But the new "lifestyle" trend allows people to have more flexibility in where they live – they can work from anywhere. Ruth Alexander from RARE Group | Coldwell Banker Mountain Central as is quoted in popular Calgary's Business news article by Mario Toneguzzi - Growing Popularity For Acreage Living in Calgary. "COVID-19 has influenced not just the way we live but where we live," said Ruth Alexander, a realtor with the RARE Group with Coldwell Banker Mountain Central in Calgary. "The way we live has changed in the sense that social distancing has made it now perfectly, normal, natural to work from home for many."  "And for many Canadian cities, their centres are suffering for real estate because people are so much happier not to be doing those commutes, even though we might miss elements of it for sure . . . Now with technology and people becoming comfortable with it, and it's been normalized, it's a huge relief and a big time saver. I think it's going to change the way people work permanently even if COVID goes away." The COVID-19 crisis forced many companies to transition to work from home quickly. When the economy starts to open up, businesses will have to decide if they'll go back to the onsite world of the old normal or continue with the remote-work model of the new normal. Employees of companies that choose the latter will have more options for where they live. Communication technology makes it possible for more people whose work primarily requires digital connectivity rather than constant physical presence. Email, video conferencing, and online project management software are tools that people can use to work remotely outside an office. The ability to work at home, even part-time — all of a sudden, you don't have to go anywhere very far from home, at least on some days — work that does not require face-to-face contact — actually takes place. Will the ability to work remotely encourage people to sprawl even farther into urban locations, far from the city?  Average daily commutes in Calgary can be time-consuming and contribute to lower job and life satisfaction. You could say that commuting in the city is also a health hazard. Because the time we spend driving decreases the time we have for other activities like exercising, our families' socializing or time is vital for our well-being. Flexible work arrangements like this mean a higher quality of life for employees. Cities will also benefit from reduced commuting congestion. Let's say they don't go back — at least not full-time. Has a trend started that will accelerate office employees working at home full or part-time. There's no question that this trend to remote work among office employees will thoroughly change both cities and suburbs. A perfect example of this amazing country living lifestyle is our beautiful luxury acreage currently listed in the DeWinton area at 48046 286 Avenue, Rural Foothills County. 

Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices?

There has been some discussion recently on home prices in relation to mortgage rates. Some believe if there is a rapid rise of mortgage rates, home prices should decrease. Logically it makes the most sense for the price of the house to drop when interest rates are rising, but this is not always the case. This theory of home prices decreasing is typically discussed by future home buyers. As a buyer you would like to think if you are paying higher rates on your mortgage, you should be able to see a decrease in cost somewhere else. Unfortunately, these rates are rising because the economy is in better shape. As the economy succeeds, incomes rise, rates go up, as well as the price of the home. A recent study by the John Burns Real Estate Consulting found mortgage rates have very little impact on the cost of the home. The housing market and price increases are affected by things like job growth in the area and rising wages. Coincidentally, these same factors are causing the rise in the mortgage rates since people can afford to take out more. Bottom Line As the economy progresses and strengthens, mortgage rates and home prices will fluctuate. It is a misconception as rates increase, home prices will decrease. Advances in the economy have shown that rates and home prices are more likely to increase together.

Enlightenment: How to choose (and shop for) home lighting when preparing your home for sale

    When preparing to list a client’s home I have a few non-negotiable housekeeping items that should be addressed, not only for picture day, but for the buyer’s experience during SHOWINGS.  One of the most profound ways to show off your home in its best light is to (you guessed it!) show it off in its best light.  People fall into a few categories on this one. Some people are completely in the dark and don’t even notice when multi-bulb fixtures are half out. On the opposite end of the light spectrum are people like me that can’t stand burnt-out bulbs, or worse MISMATCHED bulbs. My pet peeve is “blue” hue or ‘cool’ hue lights. To the people on the “fully lit” side of things (pun intended), you already know where I am going with this.  The dreaded trip to the home improvement store. You’re going to need an extra-large coffee for this task. Argh - LEDs, dimmable, halogens, incandescents - the mere thought of lightbulb shopping is stressful. If this task does not stress you out, thank your spouse or landlord or whoever manages your home lighting needs. Many (many) years ago, lightbulb shopping was a no-brainer that involved choosing a bulb from one of three available wattages, larger stores maybe going so far as offering each in a frosted or clear version. Now, this is serious business, and if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for,  you will quickly become overwhelmed. Not only are there about a thousand options, these options are not inexpensive~ it adds up quickly. But it’s worth it when listing your home! As difficult as this task is, it is absolutely imperative that we address the lighting needs in EACH room prior to photo day. If burnt out and mismatched bulbs don’t bother you on a daily, they will bother you when you see the pro photos and realize how glaringly obvious they become.  My job is to help you and get this sorted out BEFORE photo day. We can go through your home and decide room by room what needs to be done to prepare your home for photo day, including: bulb style for fixtures wattage based on room outdoor porch lights chandeliers vs. spotlights bulbs on timers dimmers Here is a link to help choose the right lighting: https://www.batteriesplus.com/blog/lighting/seeing-things-in-a-different-light}  If you need help choosing the right lighting or any other details… we have compiled a complete checklist of PRO TIPS for any homeowner thinking of listing their home.Click here to download the PRO TIPS, then set up a time with a RARE GROUP AGENT to meet you onsite and go through it together before you start prepping! We’re here to help you save your most valuable asset - TIME - and get the MOST OUT OF YOUR HOME when it comes time to list.  

How To Stage Your Entryway for Maximum Appeal When Listing Your Home for Sale

When preparing your home for sale, certain items are non-negotiable. As someone with a vested interest in MAXIMIZING the return my client will receive on the sale, it is crucial that I go over these key items and give EACH property the attention to detail it deserves.  "No matter the listing price, I want every property to look and feel luxurious. A potential buyer needs to be transported into the right frame of mind immediately. Our goal is to turn “I could live here” to “I want to live here!” - Ruth Alexander, Realtor®, Founder, RARE GROUP You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression The tone is set in the first few minutes of arriving at a new property. Curb appeal is paramount; click here to download our FREE checklist to ensure you’ve taken care of exterior items. This step is non-negotiable. We need the buyer to be drawn in at first sight. The next most important piece is the entryway - the opinion is being formed as the potential buyer walks through the door. Get this wrong, and the rest of the tour will be soured by the initial impression. Many of the steps are simple but not necessarily obvious or easy - this is why we are here to help!  Key tips for EXTERIOR entryway (walkway/porch) considerations Cleanliness Yes, you have to CLEAN outside too. Think cobwebs, dust and debris. Windows need to be cleaned inside and out. Remove old, dirty mats and get a fresh new welcome mat. Siding should be washed, and all surfaces and furniture should be wiped clean. If you haven’t already, use a pressure washer on sidewalks - you will be amazed at the results! Warm & Inviting Lightbulbs need to be working AND the right shade for your home (click to read our blog on how to approach lighting for photos and showings). Entryways need to be open, fresh and inviting. Warm colours tend to draw people in; think red doors and mailboxes. Cooler colours can open up a space. Complementary colours draw attention and will stand out from the road. Plants add an element of fluidity and serenity and can work as an affordable accent any time of year. A water feature could drown out sounds of busy roadways or rambunctious dogs nearby. Maintenance Ensure the area is well-maintained by adding fresh paint or caulking. A fresh coat of paint on a front door can do wonders. Look at the house numbers - this can be a quick and easy way to add visual interest and update the look. Fix broken softies, fascias or eaves. Make sure the area is free of snow or ice if applicable. These are relatively inexpensive touches that can make a world of difference.  Key tips for INTERIOR entryway (foyer) considerations Cleanliness Entryways gather dust and debris. Look up and clear cobwebs from fixtures. Get down and clean corners, closets and baseboards. Matts and rugs should be NEW and need to be cleaned between showings. Mirrors and windows need to gleam and reflect the light. Warm & Inviting Chandeliers must be in proper working order with ALL bulbs matching in style and hue. Use similar thinking as we applied to the exterior. Warm-up with space with a lamp. Flow traffic with a well-placed plant or foliage-inspired decor piece. Remove personal items and let the guest envision adding their personal touches to make it their own. If you have the space, fresh flowers are one of our signature recommendations. Artwork can be minimal but shouldn’t be overlooked. One key piece can tie everything together.  Overall, less is more and spacious is the name of the game. Nobody wants to feel crammed in as they walk through a door; this immediately feels uncomfortable. If the space is small, we will work with you to open it up and draw the visitor through to an area where they can comfortably remove their shoes and feel like they have arrived home.  Maintenance Window coverings cannot be overlooked; ensure they are dusted and fresh, and in good working order. Is the door handle, doorbell/camera, deadbolt etc., in good working order? A fresh coat of paint is often a great investment for a front entryway. It can freshen a dull appearance in very little time. If there is a stairwell, ensure handrails and steps are in good repair. Click here to download a complete checklist of our PRO TIPS, then set up a time with a RARE GROUP AGENT to meet you onsite and go through it together before you start prepping! We’re here to help you save your most valuable asset - TIME - and get the MOST OUT OF YOUR HOME when it comes time to list.